Tethered objects and games

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for playing. A apparatus for playing comprises at least one tethered object and at least one free object, said tethered object comprises a tether and an object which securely connects to one end of said tether. A tethered object may have a handle. The apparatus may further include at least one free object supporter for supporting free objects. To play, put a said free object on a playing surface or on a free object supporter on a playing surface, hold the free end of the tether or the handle of a tethered striking device, and swing or vertically orbit the tethered object to strike the free object to make the free object move. The apparatus may further include at least one goal. One may play in the way of playing golf: strike a free object with a tethered object again and again until the free object targets a goal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/281,816 entitled “Tethered Objects and Games” and filed on Nov. 23,2009.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to toy and game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People make different things by tethering objects with ropes or stringsor chains. There are many usages in game area. One popular game istetherball. A tethered ball is attached on an erected pole and playersstrike the tethered ball. Baseball players also use tethered ball topractice batting. A toy is made by tethering an elastic string to aball. Hold the end of the elastic string and throw the ball and thenpull the ball back. U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,665 B1 discloses a tetheredfetching, training and play device for animals. This tethered devicecomprises (1) an elongate tether with a first end and a second end, (2)a target projectile for being tossed, thrown, or moved and therebyacting as the target of an animal's attention wherein the targetprojectile is coupled to the first end of the elongate tether, (3) ahandle coupled for 360 degree rotation to the second end of the elongatetether whereby twisting and tangling of the elongate tether can beavoided, and (4) a means for retaining an animal treat relative to thetarget projectile whereby an animal treat can be retained relative tothe target projectile to act as a motivational tool to entice the animalto chase and seize the target projectile. A user can employ the tethereddevice to train an animal to perform tasks and tricks, such as fetchingand retrieving, by retaining the second end of the elongate tether,tossing, throwing, or moving the target projectile relative to the userand the animal whereupon the animal, knowing of the retained animaltreat, will tend to chase and seize the target projectile so that theuser can instruct the animal to return with the game projectile and, ifnecessary, can compel the animal to return by drawing on the elongatetether to pull the target projectile, the retained treat, and the animalto the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for playing.

A tethered object for playing comprises a tether and a non-flat objectthat securely connects to one end of said tether, or comprises a tetherthat has first end and second end, a non-flat object that securelyconnects to first end of said tether and a handle that is coupled for360 degree rotation to second end of the said tether. However, thistethered object does not need any means for retaining an animal treat.

In accordance with the present invention, a basic apparatus for playingcomprises at least one tethered object and at least one free object. Asaid free object is a non-flat object. To play, put a said free objecton a playing surface, hold the free end of the tether or the handle of atethered object, swing or vertically orbit the tethered object and lettethered object strike the free object to make the free object move. Theways of moving include flying, rolling or sliding.

There are many ways to expand said basic apparatus.

First way of expanding the said basic apparatus is to include at leastone supporter for supporting free objects for playing. To play, put asaid free object on a said supporter and swing or vertically orbit thetethered object and let tethered object strike the free object to makethe free object move.

Second way of expanding the said basic apparatus is to include at leastone goal. To play, set at least one goal on a playing surface, use atethered object to strike a free object to make the free object to moveto target a goal. Another way to play is like golf game: use a tetheredobject to strike a free object again and again until the free objecttargets a goal.

Third way of expanding the said basic apparatus is to include at leastone supporter for supporting free objects and at least one goal. Toplay, set at least one goal on a playing surface, put or erect a freeobject supporter on the playing surface and put a said free object onsaid free object supporter, use a tethered object to strike the freeobject to make the free object to move to target a goal. Another way toplay is like golf game: use a said supporter to support a free object atany time when necessary and use a tethered object to strike the freeobject again and again until the free object targets a goal.

A goal of the apparatus expanded in the Second or Third way of expandingmay comprise a goal object and a goal supporter. A goal object is anobject with predetermined shape. A goal supporter is an object or anassembly for supporting goal object. Put a goal object on a goalsupporter to set a goal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a tethered ball.

FIG. 2 shows a tethered cylinder.

FIG. 3 shows a tethered ball with a rotatable handle that has a holegoing from one end to the other.

FIG. 4 shows a tethered ball with a rotatable handle that is hollow andhas a hole on one end.

FIG. 5 shows a tethered ball with a handle which has a rotator.

FIG. 6 shows a bar supporter.

FIG. 7 shows a bar supporter with a bar on it.

FIG. 8 shows two cylinder supporters. The one on right is upside down.

FIG. 9 shows a ball on a cylinder supporter which is inserted in ground.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for playing.

A tethered object for playing comprises a tether and a non-flat objectthat securely connects to one end of said tether, or comprises a tetherthat has first end and second end, a non-flat object that securelyconnects to first end of said tether and a handle that is coupled for360 degree rotation to second end of the said tether. However, thistethered object does not need any means for retaining an animal treat.

In accordance with the present invention, a basic apparatus for playingcomprises at least one tethered object and at least one free object. Asaid free object is a non-flat object. To play, put a said free objecton a playing surface, hold the free end of the tether or the handle of atethered object, swing or vertically orbit the tethered object and lettethered object strike the free object to make the free object move. Theways of moving include flying, rolling or sliding.

There are many ways to expand said basic apparatus.

First way of expanding the said basic apparatus is to include at leastone supporter for supporting free objects for playing. To play, put asaid free object on a said supporter and swing or vertically orbit thetethered object and let tethered object strike the free object to makethe free object move.

Second way of expanding the said basic apparatus is to include at leastone goal. To play, set at least one goal on a playing surface, use atethered object to strike a free object to make the free object to moveto target a goal. Another way to play is like golf game: use a tetheredobject to strike a free object again and again until the free objecttargets a goal.

Third way of expanding the said basic apparatus is to include at leastone supporter for supporting free objects and at least one goal. Toplay, set at least one goal on a playing surface, put or erect a freeobject supporter on the playing surface and put a said free object onsaid free object supporter, use a tethered object to strike the freeobject to make the free object to move to target a goal. Another way toplay is like golf game: use a said supporter to support a free object atany time when necessary and use a tethered object to strike the freeobject again and again until the free object targets a goal.

A goal of the apparatus expanded in the Second or Third way of expandingmay comprise a goal object and a goal supporter. A goal object is anobject with predetermined shape. A goal supporter is an object or anassembly for supporting goal object. Put a goal object on a goalsupporter to set a goal.

A tethered object can be a tethered ball like that shown at FIG. 1, atethered cylinder like that shown at FIG. 2, or other tethered thing. Atethered object may have a rotatable handle. FIG. 3 shows a tetheredball with a rotatable handle. The tether is a rope. The handle has ahole from one end to the other. The hole allows the rope to go throughand does not allow a knot of the rope to go through. When a player holdsthe handle and orbits the tethered ball the rope can turn inside thehole. In another word, this handle is rotatable. The handle shown atFIG. 4 is hollow with a small hole on an end. The tether goes throughthis hole and a knot is made inside the handle and cannot go through thehole. The handle 1 shown at FIG. 5 has a rotator 2 and one end of thetether 3 is securely connected to the rotator 2. When you hold thehandle and orbit the tethered ball, the rotator will rotate. But notlike the tethered fetching, training and play device for animalsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,665 B1,The tethered object of thisinvention does not need any means for retaining an animal treat becausethe tethered object of this invention is for striking balls or otherplaying objects.

A free object can be a ball, a bar, a thick disc like an Ice Hockeydisc, or other thing.

A supporter for supporting a free object can be a tee like a golf tee ifthe free object is a ball, an assembly with two uprights if the freeobject is a bar, or other thing. Please see an example of bar supportershown at FIG. 6. Some free objects may not need supporter such as athick disc for sliding on ice. To use the supporter for bars, put oneend of a bar on one of the uprights and put the other end of the bar onthe other upright, and strike the bar with a tethered object such as atethered cylinder. FIG. 7 shows a bar supporter with a bar on it.

A goal can be a hole like a golf hole, a ball, a pin like a bowling pin,a gate like a wicket in Croquet game, a net goal like a soccer goal, abasket, a flying ring or flying disc, or other thing.

A goal may have a goal object and goal supporter. For example, if a goalobject is a ball then you may use a short hollow cylinder with threepins on one of its end as shown at FIG. 8 as a goal supporter. FIG. 8shows two cylinder goal supporters. The one on right is upside down. Thethree pins of a cylinder goal supporter are for inserting in ground. Toset a goal, first insert a cylinder goal supporter on ground and thenput a ball on the cylinder goal supporter (see FIG. 9). A goal supportercan serve as a marker to mark the location of a goal. In this example,after a ball is knocked down the cylinder goal supporter will remainthere and remember the goal location although the ball rolls to otherlocation.

There are many games using tethered objects.

First one is a golf type of game. The game system includes at least oneball, at least one tee, at least one tethered ball with or without ahandle, and a playing area that has at least one hole as goal. Peoplemay play a game like classic golf with only two differences: (1) playersuse tethered balls instead of golf clubs to strike balls and (2) aftertee off, the players may continue to use tees. To use tees after teeoff, first insert a tee right behind a ball lying on ground, second pickup the ball and put it on the tee and then swing or orbit a tetheredball to strike the ball on the tee.

Second one is also a golf type of game. The equipment includes at leastone ball, at least one tee, at least one tethered ball with or without ahandle and at least one goal with a ball as goal object and a cylindergoal supporter. To set a goal, first insert the cylinder goal supporteron ground and then put a goal object—a ball on the cylinder goalsupporter. Set at least one goal on a playing surface. People may play agame like classic golf with only three differences: (1) players usetethered balls instead of golf clubs to strike balls; (2) after tee off,the players may continue to use tees; (3) a player strikes a ball againand again until the ball hits down a goal object—a ball. To use teesafter tee off, first insert a tee right behind a ball lying on ground,second pick up the ball and put it on the tee and then swing or orbit atethered ball to strike the ball on the tee. After a player knocks downa goal object—a ball, this ball must be put back on its cylinder goalsupporter for the rest of players to continue their play.

Third one is a Croquet type of game. The game equipment includes sixballs with different colors, six tethered balls, nine wickets and twostakes. Note that wickets and stakes are all treated as goals. Thisequipment uses six tethered balls to replace six mallets in classicCroquet game. Game set up and play is the same as classic Croquet withonly one difference that players use the tethered balls instead ofmallets to propel balls.

Fourth one is also a golf type of game. The equipment includes at leastone basket goal, at least one bar, at least one tethered cylinder, andat least one bar supporter which is an assembly with two uprights (seeFIG. 6). People play the game like classic golf. When teeing off, put abar on a bar supporter and then strike the bar with a tethered cylinder.After tee off, put a bar supporter right behind a bar lying on ground,pick up the bar, put the bar on the bar supporter and strike the barwith a tethered cylinder.

Fifth one is also a golf type of game. The equipment includes at leastone flying ring used for goals, at least one bar, at least one tetheredcylinder, and at least one bar supporter which is an assembly with twouprights (see FIG. 6). To play, first throw a flying ring to set a goaland then play the game like classic golf. When teeing off, put a bar ona bar supporter and then strike the bar with a tethered cylinder. Aftertee off, put a bar supporter right behind a bar lying on ground, pick upthe bar, put the bar on the bar supporter and strike the bar with atethered cylinder. When a bar touches the flying ring or lies inside theflying ring then this bar has targeted the goal.

Sixth one is a toy. The equipment includes at least one ball and atleast one tethered ball with or without a handle. Put a ball on aplaying surface and then swing or vertically orbit a tethered ball tostrike the ball on the playing surface and watch how far the ball cango. Two or more players may contest with this toy. The winner is theplayers whose ball goes with the longest distance.

Seventh one is also a toy. The equipment includes at least one ball, atleast one tethered ball with or without a handle and at least one tee.Erect a tee, put a ball on the tee, and then swing or vertically orbit atethered ball to strike the ball on the tee and watch how far the ballcan go. Two or more players may contest with this toy. The winner is theplayers whose ball goes with the longest distance.

Eighth one is also a toy. The equipment includes at least one bar, atleast one tethered cylinder and at least one bar supporter which is anassembly with two uprights (see FIG. 6). Put the bar on the barsupporter and then swing or vertically orbit the tethered cylinder tostrike the bar and watch how far the bar can go. Two or more players maycontest with this toy. The winner is the players whose bar goes with thelongest distance.

Ninth one is also a toy for playing on ice. The equipment includes atleast one thick disc, at least one tethered cylinder. Swing orvertically orbit the tethered cylinder to strike the thick disc, andwatch how far the thick disc can go. Two or more players may contestwith this toy. The winner is the players whose thick disc goes with thelongest distance.

1. A tethered object for playing, comprising a tether with first end andsecond end, a non-flat object that is coupled to the first end of saidtether, and a handle that is coupled for 360 degree rotation to thesecond end of the said tether, but not including any means for retainingan animal treat. Whereby a player may hold said handle and swing ororbit said non-flat object to strike a ball or other playing objects. 2.The tethered object of claim 1, wherein said non-flat object is a ball.3. The tethered object of claim 2, wherein said handle has a hole fromits one end to the other and the second end of the said tether goesthrough said hole and a knot is made at the second end of the saidtether to prevent the tether from being pulled out from the hole of thehandle.
 4. An apparatus for playing, comprising at least one tetheredobject and at least one free object, a said free object is a non-flatobject; a said tethered object comprises a tether and a non-flat objectthat is coupled to one end of said tether or comprises a tether that hasfirst end and second end, a non-flat object that is coupled to the firstend of said tether and a handle that is coupled for 360 degree rotationto the second end of the said tether. Whereby a player may put a freeobject on a playing surface, hold the free end of the tether of atethered object or hold the handle of a tethered object, and swing orvertically orbit this tethered object to strike the free object to makethis free object move.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the handleof each tethered object has a hole from its one end to the other, thesecond end of the tether of the said tethered object goes through thehole and a knot is made at the second end of the said tether to preventthe tether from being pulled out from the hole of the handle.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 4 further including at least one free objectsupporter for supporting free objects. Whereby a player may put or erecta free object supporter on a playing surface, put a free object on thefree object supporter, hold the free end of the tether of a tetheredobject or hold the handle of a tethered object, and swing or verticallyorbit this tethered object to strike the free object to make this freeobject move.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 further including at least onefree object supporter for supporting free objects.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 4 further including at least one goal. Whereby players may set atleast one goal on a playing surface, put a free object on a playingsurface, and swing or vertically orbit a tethered object to strike thefree object to make the free object move to target a goal. Another wayto play is like golf game: swing or vertically orbit a tethered objectto strike a free object again and again until the free object targets agoal.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 further including at least one goal.Whereby players may set at least one goal on a playing surface, put orerect a free object supporter on a playing surface, put a free object onthe free object supporter, and swing or vertically orbit a tetheredobject to strike the free object to make the free object move to targeta goal. Another way to play is like golf game: swing or vertically orbita tethered object to strike the free object again and again until thefree object targets a goal.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a saidgoal comprises a goal object and a goal supporter for supporting goalobjects, put or erect a goal supporter on a playing surface and put agoal object on the goal supporter to set a goal.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein a said goal comprises a goal object and a goalsupporter for supporting goal objects, put or erect a goal supporter ona playing surface and put a goal object on the goal supporter to set agoal.
 12. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the non-flat object of eachsaid tethered object is a ball and each said free object is also a ball.13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the non-flat object of each saidtethered object is a ball, each said free object is also a ball and eachsaid free object supporter is a tee.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the non-flat object of each said tethered object is a ball, eachsaid free object is also a ball and each goal is a hole on a playingsurface.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the non-flat object ofeach said tethered object is a ball, each said free object is also aball, each said free object supporter is a tee and each goal is a holeon a playing surface.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein thenon-flat object of each said tethered object is a ball, each said freeobject is also a ball, each goal object is a bowling pin and each goalsupporter is disc.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the non-flatobject of each said tethered object is a ball, each said free object isalso a ball, each goal object is a ball and each goal supporter is ahollow cylinder with at least one pin on one end of said hollowcylinder. Whereby players may insert the pins of the said hollowcylinder in ground and put a ball on the top end of the insertedcylinder to set a goal. The players may set at least one goal on aplaying surface. Put a ball on a playing surface and swing or verticallyorbit a tethered ball to strike the ball to make this ball move totarget a goal. Another way to play is like golf game: swing orvertically orbit a tethered ball to strike a ball again and again untilthe ball targets a goal.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thenon-flat object of each said tethered object is a ball, each said freeobject is also a ball, each said free object supporter is a tee, eachgoal object is a ball and each goal supporter is a hollow cylinder withat least one pin on one end of said hollow cylinder. Whereby players mayinsert the pins of the said hollow cylinder in ground and put a ball onthe top end of the inserted cylinder to set a goal. The players may setat least one goal on a playing surface. Erect a tee on ground and put aball on the tee and swing or vertically orbit a tethered ball to strikethe ball on the tee to make this ball move to target a goal. Another wayto play is like golf game: swing or vertically orbit a tethered ball tostrike a ball again and again until the ball targets a goal.
 19. Amethod of playing comprising the following steps: (a) provide at leastone tethered object, at least one free object and at least one freeobject supporter for supporting free objects, each free object is anon-flat object and each said tethered object comprises a tether and anon-flat object that is coupled to one end of said tether or comprises atether that has first end and second end, a non-flat object that iscoupled to the first end of said tether and a handle that is coupled for360 degree rotation to the second end of the said tether; (b) choose aplaying surface; (c) put or erect a free object supporter on a playingsurface, put a free object on said free object supporter and swing ororbit the tethered object to strike the free object to make this freeobject move.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the non-flat object ofeach tethered object is a ball, each free object is also a ball and eachfree object supporter is a tee.